The Bookshelf ...

                                                                                                                                                                         Vol. I, No. 5, October 1988

Baptists and the Bible, L. Russ Bush and Tom J. Nettles, Moody Press.

As noted elsewhere in this issue, the SBC Peace Committee found that the "primary source" of controversy in the SBC is theological differences, specifically "the authority of the Word of God."

Much has been written and a great deal more said about what Baptists have believed, do believe, and should believe about the Bible. Bush and Nettles clearly trace the historic Baptist position regarding biblical authority.

What became the first modern Baptist church was founded in Amsterdam in 1609. The leader of that church, John Smyth, in 1608 wrote, "The Holy Scriptures viz. the Originalls Hebrew & Greek are given by Divine Inspiration & in their first donation were without error most perfect & therefore Canonicall." Most of what Baptists have written on this subject since 1608 has been but variations on this theme.

[Note: In preparing this article to post on the Banner website I noticed that apparently some of the book review was omitted. In any event, the above was what was printed. Baptists and the Bible is a great, really informative, easily read book. I recommend it highly. TCP]